New Delhi, 29 August (H.S.):

Four Indian women cricketers — Shikha Pandey, Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar and Kiran Navgire — have signed contracts to play in the upcoming season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which is scheduled to begin on September 6.

Experienced pacer Shikha Pandey and wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia will represent Trinbago Knight Riders. The 25-year-old Yastika will make her Caribbean Premier League debut, while the upcoming season will mark Shikha’s third appearance in the tournament.

Fast-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar and aggressive batter Kiran Navgire will turn out for defending champions Barbados Tridents. Both players will make their debuts in the Caribbean Premier League.

Pooja returned to competitive cricket in 2025 after being sidelined for an extended period due to injury. She represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League before featuring for Chambal Gharials in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League.

With the exception of Kiran Navgire, Pooja, Yastika and Shikha have previously played in overseas T20 franchise leagues. Pooja featured in the Women’s Big Bash League during the 2022-23 season, while Yastika played in the Australian league during the 2024-25 season.

The inclusion of the four Indian players in the Caribbean Premier League will further strengthen the presence of Indian women cricketers in the upcoming season.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar